Ladd Biro’s fantasy football picks for Week 4

By Ladd Biro

Updated
3:26 pm PDT, Friday, October 9, 2015

Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 5 of the 2015 season.

Watch ’em roll

Marcus Mariota, QB, Titans vs. Bills: The ahead-of-schedule rookie has had an extra week to prepare for a defense that has already coughed up 10 passing TDs and nearly 300 passing yards per game. With little likelihood of success on the ground for the Titans, Mariota will be asked to sling it often again.

Rashad Jennings, RB, Giants vs. 49ers: Jennings was widely dropped after his slow start, but perhaps that was a bit rash. Though he’s not piling up the rushing yards, he’s contributing nicely as a receiver. And Sunday night, Jennings will be facing one of the league’s true defensive doormats.

Todd Gurley, RB, Rams at Packers: Not only did the rookie showcase the skills last week that made him such a coveted draft pick, but he also became the Rams’ instant workhorse, with Tre Mason and Benny Cunningham combining for just four carries in Week 4. Gurley will be facing a below-average run defense in Green Bay, so plug him in and enjoy the ride.

Travis Benjamin, WR, Browns at Ravens: Strangely enough, Josh McCown has been putting up very respectable numbers lately, and Benjamin has been the primary beneficiary. Against a suspect Baltimore secondary that wasn’t tested much by Mike Vick, Benjamin should have another stellar outing.

Pierre Garcon, WR, Washington at Falcons: Kirk Cousins will probably be missing DeSean Jackson (hamstring) and Jordan Reed (concussion) against an Atlanta secondary that surrenders more than 300 passing yards per game. Garcon, who has two TDs this season, should be a very busy man Sunday.

Roll ’em back

Derek Carr, QB, Raiders vs. Broncos: Denver is playing ferocious defense, so anyone but a bona fide fantasy stud is too risky to start. Carr has been sharp most of this season, and he’s making Amari Cooper a star, but the young gunslinger can’t be trusted in this divisional showdown.

Carlos Hyde, RB, 49ers at Giants: With opposing defenses stacking the box to stop the only legitimate threat the 49ers have, Hyde has had nowhere to run in recent weeks. Now he faces a New York defense that averages a league-low 70 rushing yards. Ouch.

Melvin Gordon, RB, Chargers vs. Steelers: Danny Woodhead has been outperforming his backfield mate lately, especially in PPR leagues. On Monday night, Gordon will face a Pittsburgh run defense that has allowed just one rushing score this season. Look for the Chargers to rely on Philip Rivers’ arm in this contest.

Golden Tate, WR, Lions vs. Cardinals: Can Detroit bounce back from being robbed of a possible last-minute upset in Seattle? Against Arizona’s solid secondary (let’s overlook last week’s letdown against the Rams), Matt Stafford and any receiver not nicknamed Megatron come with great risk.

Anquan Boldin, WR, 49ers at Giants: It’s hard to trust anybody in this passing attack, owing primarily to Colin Kaepernick’s ineffectiveness. Boldin has been dropped in many leagues and could be jettisoned in many more after this cross-country trip. Torrey Smith is even less attractive in this not-ready-for-primetime matchup.